1. Documenting the Scene
Chapter 18
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

2. Objectives
• Describe when and what to photograph to
document the fire scene adequately
• Describe the different types of diagrams and
how they can assist the fire investigator
• Describe symbols used to represent common
items used in most diagrams
• Describe the importance of notes, proper note
taking, and final disposition of notes
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

3. Case Study
• A homeowner noticed the laundry room on fire
• Investigator searched the dryer and found only
debris that was consistent with cotton
• Five years later, the investigator appeared in the
civil suit of an insurance company against a
major appliance manufacturer
• The fact that all answers during the deposition
came from the notes and report were sufficient
for a settlement
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

4. Introduction
• Every fire scene must be adequately
documented to allow recall for the investigator
• To test your hypothesis, you must document all
the facts of the case
– All the facts of the case include all notes gathered,
reports written, photographs taken, and diagrams
created
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

5. Photographs
• In the past, arguments have been made against
digital photography
– Digital photographs in the early days did not have
clarity or details
• Today, this is not the case
• A major benefit of going digital is the fact that
the photo can be reviewed immediately
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

6. Photography for the First
Responder Investigator
• Upon arriving at the scene, taking photographs
will be the last thing on the mind of the fire
officer
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

7. Photography for the First
Responder Investigator (cont’d.)
• Once the fire is under control and post-fire
procedures have been established and before
overhaul, the suppression officer can use the
camera
– Overall shots of the property
– A photo framing each side of the structure
– Photographs of each room
– Series of photos showing the path of travel
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

8. Photography for the Assigned
Investigator
• Assigned investigator should start from the
beginning and take all photographs
• First photo taken should depict the area where
the fire occurred
• Next shot should show the structure and the
surrounding property
• All evidence found on the exterior should be
photographed
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

9. Photography for the Assigned
Investigator (cont’d.)
• Inside the structure, the photos should be taken
just as the investigator should work the scene
• Any item identified as the first fuel ignited should
be photographed
• Any potential heat sources should be
photographed
• As evidence is collected, it should be
photographed
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

10. Specialized Photography
Figure 18-1 Digital cameras
can range from a simple
pocket camera to SLR units
with specialized lenses and
flash units.
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

11. Documenting with Diagrams
• Diagrams are drawings of the property
– Depict the property boundaries and the position of the
structures on the property
– Use an arrow to depict the direction north
– All sketches and diagraphs, no matter how detailed,
should state “Not to Scale”
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

12. Sketching and Measuring
• A sketch is a simple rough drawing
– Starts with drawing the area, and then a sketch of the
structure
• Simple graph paper can help in making as
accurate a depiction is possible in the field
• Final diagrams need to be as accurate as
possible
– All walls, roads, landmarks, key points, evidence, or
other data placed on the diagram should be
measured
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

13. The Diagrams
• Sketch needs to be rendered into a diagram
• Basic completed diagram needs to be attached
to the final report
• Several pieces of information that should be
considered for placement on a diagram
– Data can be placed on one diagram, or special
diagrams can be created to show the data separately
or in groups
– One way to show multiple sets of data on one form is
to create an overlay
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

14. The Diagrams (cont’d.)
• Pre-Fire Floor Plan
– First diagram should show the layout of the rooms
and spaces as they would have appeared prior to the
fire
• Pre-Fire Floor Plan with Known Furnishings
– Furnishings whose locations prior to the fire can be
verified should be placed in their proper position on a
diagram
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

15. The Diagrams (cont’d.)
• Burn and Smoke Patterns
– Diagram could also reflect the depth of the char
– Should show the direction of fire travel from the area
of origin
• Evidence Diagram
– Depending on the amount of evidence, it may be
beneficial to mark it on a diagram
• Photo Diagram
– Final report should include a collection of
photographs
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

16. The Diagrams (cont’d.)
• Suppression Activities
– Placement of apparatus, water supply lines, location
of hydrants used or not used, ladder truck placement,
and attack lines should be placed on a diagram
• Commercial Building Plans
– A full set of plans may be available from the building
official, the contractor, or architect
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

17. Notes
• Notes are an essential part of any investigation
• If you do not write down what was said in the
interview, then the interview will be of limited
use
• Writing the report is much easier and more
efficient if written notes are used to get the
information compiled
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

18. Notes (cont’d.)
• Notes need to be legible
• Two theories on keeping and destroying notes
– Some departments destroy their written notes once
they have typed their report
– Other departments keep their notes in the file
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

19. Summary
• Diagrams and notes are key tools to creating
the final report
– A variety of items can be captured with a diagram by
using overlays or multiple diagrams
• Photographs are also important to capturing the
scene
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning